A Tahiti Christening

QUITE a stir was created in Papeete one morning recently when bells be gan to ring, and the siren of the British steamer “Levernbank” began to bl<~>w. Anxious citizens g?fbov e d only to see Captain Gillies, of the “Levernbank,” and Miss Anatila Nord man, hurrying off in a car, carrying a small infant.

“What’s wrong?” yelled a citizen.

“Nothing’s wrong” retorted the Captain.

T am going to have this small nipper baptised—l am the godfather.” The in fant was the very new baby of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Nordman, and it had been decided to call it “Lurline” and to baptise it forthwith.

This solemn ceremony ended, a recep tion was held aboard the ship, where the Nordman family and the Captain lavishly entertained a large number of people.

As the “Levernbank” sailed out of the harbour for Makatea, the Captain shouted lam now linked with Tahiti—l will come back.”

Because of the inadequacy of Suva’s power supply, the ever-increasing de mands put upon it and the long wait for new plant from overseas, the Suva Town Board has asked the Fiii Govern ment to look into the question of re stricting the sale of electrical appliances.

Father Lepping, who recently returned to his mission station, has urged the agri cultural development of Pacific Islands to improve the living standards of the natives. Agricultural development, he said, would serve a two-fold purpose. The natives would be able to vary their diet and also, by exports, earn money for their own social advancement. Father Lepping is an American and is attached to the Bougainville Marist Mission.

The Whan Construction Co., Ltd., Suva, is the successful tenderer for the new Suva markets to be built on the wharf reclamation. The contract price is £24,986, subject to revision according to the rise or fall in the cost of materials and labour during the 15 months’ con struction period.